PHILADELPHIA — Jose Quintana is all for Kodai Senga returning to the pitching staff when he’s recovered from the strained left calf that’s sidelined him since July.
And the lefty said Sunday he’d be willing to pitch out of the bullpen if need be to make room for Senga.
“My focus is on my next start, but I think when Senga comes back, he’s gonna help us a lot, so whatever way I can help, I will do it,’’ Quintana said before the Mets lost to Philadelphia, 2-1, at Citizens Bank Park. “It’s not a big deal. Right now, it’s not a time to be about myself. It’s about the team. If it’s good for the team, I’m open to doing it.”
President of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday he was “optimistic” Senga would make it back.
The right-hander is eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 25.
Stearns added that the team was “likely” to use Senga as a starter if he were able to pitch because that’s what Senga is accustomed to.
Although Senga has been able to keep his arm active while recovery from the lower body injury, he won’t be able to build back up to normal starter length, which could necessitate extra relief for any starts he might make.
Quintana last pitched out of the bullpen in 2021.
While the lefty has had an inconsistent season, he’s been effective over his last four starts.
He’s allowed just one earned run in 25 innings in that stretch and is set to start against Washington Wednesday at Citi Field.
“It’s a little bit different pitching from the bullpen because the game is quicker and you have to be ready,’’ Quintana said. “I’ve been in that position before. Right now, I want to win. I don’t care how.”
Starling Marte was held out of the lineup after being drilled in the left forearm in Saturday’s loss.
Although X-rays were negative Saturday, Marte didn’t play on Sunday.
Carlos Mendoza said Marte wasn’t available to pinch hit, but he could have been used as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
J.D. Martinez hit two more balls hard Sunday, but is hitless in his last 16 at-bats and his OPS of .749 is the lowest it’s been since late May.
But after the DH was robbed of a homer Saturday and hit another ball to the fence in the seventh inning Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, Mendoza is unconcerned.
“His at-bats are really good,’’ the manager said.
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Mark Vientos entered Sunday with a 1.016 OPS against lefties, good for third-best in the National League.
But Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sanchez struck out Vientos three times.
He whiffed a fourth time versus right-hander Orion Kerkering in the eighth inning of a 2-1 loss.
“He had some decent at-bats,’’ Mendoza said of the third baseman. “They made him chase and had a tough right-on-right [in Kerkering] out of the bullpen.”
Francisco Lindor, Edwin Diaz and bullpen coach Jose Rosado wore No. 21 jerseys in honor of Roberto Clemente Day.